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  • machine has died, need advise for replacement

    Hello everyone, what a great site.

    It is nice to know that so many other people take their coffee so seriously!

    Anyway as the title says my sunbeam 6900 has been working perfectly for 14 months, Then I decided to put some descaling solution through it, a week later everytime that I used it, it tripped the circuit breaker.


    I have since discovered that the thermoblock inside is made from aluminium, which apparently decays and then the descaling solution has removed the corrosion and made it leak.
    sunbeam dont want to know as it is out of warrenty, and their service repair guy has told me that it cannot be repaired!

    $700.00 and 14 months later I am less that impressed with sunbeam.

    So my question is (apart from sumbeam) which machine to go for ?
    manual or auto?

    I like the idea of an auto, but I know that they take over a lot of the control ie. tamper , grind, etc.

    Our budget is around $700 again.

    We already have a decent burr grinder

    I like the idea of the saeco 2 year warrenty. And have come across a Saeco Incanto Cappuccino Automatic Coffee Machine online for around $600.

    Or do I stick with Manual?

    I am confused but need to make a decision soon as I am really missing my morning fix!

    Any help greatly appriciated

    Chris





  • #2
    Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

    Welcome Chris,

    Step 1) Avoid fully automatic machines, period, unless youre in an office where no-one will take responsibility for a manual machine and people dont really care about good quality coffee anyway.

    The 69xx machines should have a stainless liner inside the aluminium thermoblock so Im surprised to read that; it could be coicidence I guess, although given the quality of the stainless in the panels if the insides made of the same stuff its not that surprising. Firstly Id be jumping up and down a bit more to Sunbeam, their customer service is normally very good; maybe ask for the supervisor or something. The 6900s were a real dog but the 6910 is a different beast altogether. If your priorities are the same as last time Id be looking at a 6910 honestly, but not knowing your priorities I cant really say. If you havent already, have a read through the 6910 vs Rancilio Silvia review, particularly the last bit as thatll hopefully help you work out whether your usage patterns are suited to a 6910 type machine or something more manual like the Silvia (not the only option in that type by any means but certainly one of the ones to seriously look at).

    Itd be helpful for us to know roughly what types of drinks you make and how many a day, and also the type of grinder you have. With the right answers you could see yourself in a new kit very soon!

    Good luck!
    Greg

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

      Hi Greg
      thanks for the speedy reply.

      The article was very interesting also

      It really is a shame that this has happened. As I really liked the 6900.

      Sunbeam have made me that angry with their lack of customer service, ( they have not even responded to my emails for over 2 weeks now )

      So you recomend to steer clear of auto machines, that is the general feel that I had from research.

      Our grinder is a Krups GVX2

      We only ever drink lates , every day on mornings and evenings after dinner.

      What do you think of the sylvia?


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      • #4
        Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

        kaceb which state are you in.
        NSW has some excellent consumer laws which could help if thats where you are.

        I had a 6900 at work that I was sure was out of warranty and so was Sunbeam but when it started playing up just before Xmas they offered to replace it with a brand new 6910.

        Its going well so far.

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        • #5
          Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

          kaceb,

          Sorry to hear about your machine..... but I never thought they would last that long (but longer than you had yours!!!)

          Im afraid to give you some more bad news.....

          Our grinder is a Krups GVX2
          Well they arent really grinders.... they are more like bean crushers. The discs dont have edges that shave the beans but little dimples that pound them to death!!

          These sort of grinders arent really suitable for espresso production except with a cheap machine with pressurised baskets.

          If you are considering a Silvia or even a Gaggia Classic or the like - you will need a new grinder (The Sunbean 0450 or 0480 is about the cheapest suitable - sorry its a Sunbeam). The next step up would be an Iberital or something similar (around $300)....

          Good luck!

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

            kaceb, Id really try to see if you can work something out with Sunbeam. There are heaps of CSers who have 6910s and / or have had faulty 6900s and the reports on Sunbeams customer service have been (initially surprisingly) overwhelmingly positive.

            Id second JavaBs comments - decent grinders that will cut the mustard (if you want mustard-flavoured espresso that is) are $130+ otherwise its hardly worth the bother; but that was why I asked about the grinder.

            What do I think of the Silvia? Ill just ask the chap who wrote the review... I really like the Silvia, I liked the 6910 too but in different ways. I certainly dont regret purchasing the Silvia; the dual thermoblocks on the 6910 make it attractive for milk drinkers, but so does the better steaming ability on the Silvia. If its just two lattes at a time then the Silvia does that in a breeze in fact its hardly any slower than the 6910 and (in my opinion) makes texturing milk a lot easier. If you were doing 4 or 6+ then the 6910 has a clear time advantage.

            Given your usage profile Id be leaning towards a Silvia; I doubt a 6910 will let you down but a Silvia almost definitely wont - theres a lot less to go wrong! Plus they come up second-hand from time to time here on CS round the $500 mark normally so you could get yourself a decent grinder with the change, in the knowledge theyll go for a lot longer than 14 months!

            Greg

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

              Nemox Dell opera or Rancilio Sylva is in you price range for manual machines
              However I have read many times on this site that if you are looking for an auto get a Jura I am sure there is a model available around your price range
              Scan all the sponsors sites on the left <<<<<<<<< for all your machine research as most of us do ? you will be surprised what may turn up

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

                hi kaceb
                what state are you in
                is your local sunbeam repoairer a Specialist coffee repairer, if not he probably hasnt a clue

                you need to ring Sunbeam Customer Service not email them

                boilers are availasble for the 6900 series but there is a delay at present

                as they are a sealed unit i would question the boiler failing

                graham

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                • #9
                  Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

                  ok guys thanks for the input.

                  I am in Carey Bay which is between Newcastle and the Central Coast.

                  I am an electrician, so have a reasonable understanding of how these things work.

                  I shall now attempt to explain in more detail my 6900 problems;


                  it switches on, the lights flash correctly as it is heating the water

                  then the lights all stay on to let you know it is ready for use

                  the steamer works well as it always has

                  the hot water output also works correctly

                  but when i press the 1 or 2 cup button to send the water through the coffee the circuit breaker trips.

                  So i called sunbeam and explained all of that to them and they told me to take it to their authorised repairer.
                  Now this is why I took it to a repairer, becasuse the pump has a 5 year warrenty. To me it doesnt trip out until the pump is pumping the water through the coffee grinds. It is heating the water in the thermoblock because everything else works fine.

                  But the repair guy has told me that the thermoblock is leaking and that the collar when the grinds sit is all warn away (I thought it just needed a new seal)therefore in his opinion it cannot be repaired.

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                  • #10
                    Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

                    Last time I spoke to some "Authorised Repairers" it was for the 6900 we previously had here at work.
                    It had started leaking and I wanted advice on how to instal a new gasket because Sunbeam had sent me one and included a new spacer.

                    One had never heard of the spacer and the other complained he was still waiting for updated training but still ahd no idea about the spacer.

                    Ring customer service again and ask the operator to check with a techie.
                    They arent allowed to let you talk directly to them but if one is around it may help if you explain what you just wrote to one of them.

                    It all sounds logical to me.

                    Either the pump is tripping the power as you suggest or the circuit board has a short.

                    What happens if you press the manual button?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

                      I am not sure about the manual button, as I did not try it

                      The repair guy has now told me that he wants me to pay him for his efforts. I feel like just leaving the machine with him, although part of me wants to get it home and pull it apart. I know that i can do electrical insulation tests seperatley on the internal parts.

                      Although maybe I am taking this too far now and should just let it go and buy a new rancilio silvia.

                      The cheapest place thet i can find is on good old ebay for around $730, and with a rancilio grinder for $1150

                      Does anyone know of a better place to buy from, I have checked the guys on the left.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

                        kaceb,

                        Good luck with your Sunbeam - what ever you choose to do with it (boat anchor maybe???)....

                        As you have already purchased an appliance from a "normal" retail outlet - please dont make the same mistake again!!!

                        A coffee machine is not an appliance - but a specialist piece of kit which needs good support from someone who knows what they are doing...

                        I am an electrician, so have a reasonable understanding of how these things work.
                        Well you should appreciate that to get service you have to pay..... Someone can buy all the cable and sockets / switches from a hardware shop and wire their own house..... but unless they know the SAA wiring rules etc and are qualified - Im sure you wouldnt recommend they do it - you would strongly recommend getting a qualified electrician to do the work!!

                        Now a coffee machine also should only be bought from someone who has the experience, knowledge and passion to help you make great coffee.... not just some dude on Evilbay whose only interest is to get you to part with your dollars.... and then washing their hands of the whole purchase.

                        Go to a site sponsor.... sure you may pay a few dollars more (just like getting a qualified electrician to do power wiring) but you will get a quality product that you know can and will be supported. It is worth it in both cases to have peace of mind!!!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

                          I would go back to Sunbeam themselves and not a repair agent. I have found them to be fantastic. Id be amazed if they dont offer to fix or replace it. At worst, see if theyll trade in yours for a 6910.
                          Also, if you bought it on American Express, you get an extra years warranty. I can tell you how to go about claiming if youre in that fortunate position. PM me for instructions.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

                            Save your money buy the silvia-rocky combo.Ive had mine now for over a year and its never let me down. If it wasnt for coffee snobs id still be struggling with my brevill.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: machine has died, need advise for replacement

                              Originally posted by fix link=1207905447/0#7 date=1207951312

                              boilers are availasble for the 6900 series but there is a delay at present

                              as they are a sealed unit i would question the boiler failing
                              Splitting hairs perhaps but the 6900s have thermoblocks not boilers

                              However I have read many times on this site that if you are looking for an auto get a Jura I am sure there is a model available around your price range
                              The cheapest Jura available from Gilkatho is the Ena which is listed at $1295. Jura dont tend to make cheap automatic machines. But I think kacebs happy to steer away from those anyway.

                              If I were in your position Id be looking at a Silvia as the machine and the best grinder you can get. Several sponsors sell the Silvia if youre sold on getting a new one, but many of us (myself included) have second-hand ones as they rarely break down and you can save yourself a couple of hundred bucks to put towards a good grinder. Silvia Rocky will be beyond your price range but if you can stretch it at all theres a big difference between a $150 grinder and a $400 grinder (and dont just get any $150 grinder, most arent worth the box they come in).

                              Greg

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